Reclining chair



Dec. 13, 1960 A. P. KRIKORIAN RECLINING CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 14, 1957 A. P. KRIKORIAN- RECLINING CHAIR Dec. 13, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 14, 1957 RECLINING C Albert P. Krikorian, Agawam, Mass. (44 Kenmore Drive, Longmeadow, Mass.)

Filed Mar. 14, 1957, Ser. No. 645,988

2 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) This invention is directed to a reclinable chair and it is particularly concerned with a chair having a seat member and a back-rest member which are swingable and a leg-rest which is shiftable in coordinated movements relative to a base by means of a mechanism which assists in the assumption of the components in a multiplicity of positions relative to each other and relative to the bar between a full sitting position and a full reclining position.

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application, Serial No. 614,538, filed by me on October 8, 1956, now Patent No. 2,897,877, issued August 4, 1959.

Herein I provide a chair having a leg-rest, which is shiftable upon actuation of the seat and back-rest members so that, when the back-rest member is moved to its reclined position, the leg-rest will be raised to a substantially horizontal elevated position to properly support the legs and feet of the occupant, and when the chair is in its upright or sitting position, the leg-rest Will be in an inoperative, generally vertical, inconspicuous position.

The principfl improvement of the invention is directed to a chair of the reclinable type wherein the seat member is disposed close to the fioor and further wherein the system of linkage connected to the base, seat member, back-rest member and leg-rest permits the generous forward shifting of the leg-rest relative to the seat and backrest members upon the inclination of the seat member and the reclination of the back-rest member and the simultaneous attainment of a poised balance of the movable body supporting members in all relative positions.

The invention envisions a reclinable chair wherein the seat and back-rest members are each pivotally supported on and are separately swingable relative to the base, wherein the leg-rest is in no way directly connected to the seat member so as to permit extended movements thereof away from and toward the seat member, and wherein a pair of linkage mechanisms coact to effect the angularization of the seat member and the simultaneous shifting of the leg-rest upon the reclination of the backrest member relative to the base, with the guiding link hereof as a component of each linkage mechanism of the pair thereof being swingable relative to the seat and being shiftable relative to the base.

Stated otherwise, the rearward swinging of the backrest member relative to the base accomplishes the angularization of the seat member relative to the base and, simultaneous therewith, the shifting of the leg-rest from a normal, non-operative, position to a leg-supporting, operative, position.

The linkage mechanisms or fixtures hereof, two of same being used as a pair with a chair structure, may be readily employed with reclining chairs made of various materials.

Especially worthy of mention is the fact that herein are provided a pair of linkage mechanisms of the aforementoined type which, when the chair is reclined, will move the leg-rest outwardly a distance away from the seat member in a manner so as to properly engage the Patented Dec. 13, 1960 occupants legs below his knees throughout the cycle of travel between the non-operative and operative positions, all with a minimum of exertion on the part of the occupant being necessitated in both the reclining and declining directions of travel.

The operating mechanism hereof is held in continuous poised balanced relationship with the base throughout its cycle of movement whereby easy manuverability of the seat and back-rest members and leg-rest is attained.

In the drawings, 1 have shown three complete examples of chair mechanisms illustrating the fundamental principle of the invention although it is entirely conceivable that modifications could be made to any one of these examples which employed the basic inventive concept hereof and still remain within the spirit and letter of the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are each combined partial side elevational and longitudinal sectional views of the chair structure, each showing one of the forms of the invention with the upright sitting positions of the components thereof being shown in solid lines and with the rearward reclined positions of the components thereof being shown in dash lines;

Fig. 3 is a combined partial side elevational and longitudinal sectional View of the chair structure shown in Fig. 2 showing a modification in the construction of the back-rest member thereof, with the rearward reclined position of the chair as shown in dash lines in Fig. 2 being herein omitted for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of one of the lower components of the back-rest structure shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the element shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, the chair structure disclosed in Fig. 1 will first be described, it being appreciated that the embodiment shows what appears to be a conventional arm chair. The proportions and dimensions of the chair are those common to articles of this nature. They may be varied within the ranges well known to those in the business of making furniture, and obviously there is a wide variety which may be drawn upon.

In said figure, I have shown a relatively fixed stationary base or body structure generally indicated by the numeral 2 and comprising a pair of transversely-spaced, verticallyextending, side wall members 4 and 6 connected together by a plurality of transverse stretcher or cross rails such as 8 and 10, all as is conventional and well-known.

The members are suitably shaped to give the chair elements the contour desired. Conventional methods of jointing may be employed, and need no discussion.

In the illustrated embodiment, a back-rest member, generally designated by 12,, is swingably mounted on the base 2. at 14 intermediate the upper and lower extremities of the back-rest member to define a portion of the backrest member downwardly of the swingable connection 14, hereinafter referred to as a lower back extension 16.

Said extension 16 functions as a link as will hereinafter appear.

The back-rest member 12 may comprise the conventional transversely-spaced, vertically-extending, side rail members 18 connected together by a plurality of transverse stretchers or cross rails such as 21 A seat member generally designated by 22, may comprise the conventional spaced side rail members. 24 connected together by a plurality of transverse stretchers or cross-rails such as 26.

A stop member 28 may be fixed to the opposite side wall members 4 and 6 for the support of the seat member 22 in the upright sitting position, as shown.

The seatmember 22 is swingably mounted on the base 2 at 30.

The uppermost planar surface 11 of the transverse cross-rail may be of such configuration as to define a stop means against which the back-rest member 12 may abut when the back-rest member attains the extreme reclined position relative to the base.

Having thus described the various structural parts of the chair, save for the leg-rest to be hereinafter referred to, attention will now be directed to the system by means of which such parts are secured in their cooperative relationship.

In the views and throughout the disclosure of the specification, wherever the linkage systems are referred to, only one linkage mechanism for each chair structure so shown and described will be mentioned. However, it will be understood that two suchmechanisms, operating in unison as a pair, constitute a linkage system, there being one such mechanism on each opposite side of the chair structure concerned, all as is well known to those versed in the art.

The linkage mechanism of Fig. 1 will now be described.

An actuating link 40 is provided having a rear end portion thereof swingably connected at 42 to the lower extension 16 of the back-rest member 12. Link 40 is also swingably connected at 44, adjacent its forward extremity, to a primary link 46, the uppermost extremity of the link 46 being pivoted at 48 to the adjacent member 24 of the seat member 22 forwardly of the pivotal connection 30.

Link 40 is also swingably connected at 50, intermediate its opposite ends, and at a point remote from connections 42 and 44, to the lower end of a guiding link 52.

The upper end of the guiding link 52 is swingably mounted at 54 on the adjacent member 24 of seat member 22.

The swingable connection 54 between the seat member and the guiding link may be at any position relative to and spaced from the swingable connection 30 between the seat member and the base.

It will be observed that the swingable connections 14, 30, and 54 are relatively disposed in a novel manner in that the longitudinal axes of the connections 14, 30 and 54 are relatively spaced as to each other.

On each of the wall members 4 and 6 of the base, the distance between the connections 14 and 30 forms what will hereinafter be referred to as a stationary link. Same is indicated by the bracket designated a.

The stationary link a, actuating link 40, primary link 46, guiding link 52, and extension 16 of the back-rest member 12 constitute the control means whereby control of the movement of the seat member is attained upon reclination of the back-rest member.

The lower extremity of the primary link 46 is swingably connected at '56 to the rearward extremity of a primary leg-rest link 58.

A leg-rest generally indicated by 60 may be comprised of the conventional side rail members 62 and transverse stretcher or rail members 64.

The leg-rest is normally positioned in a substantially vertical position relative to the base, as shown.

The primary leg-rest link 58 is pivoted to the leg-rest at 66.

Link members 46 and 58 comprise a pair of links hereinafter referred to as the primary pair of links.

A secondary link 70 is swingably connected at the upper extremity thereof at 72 to the forward extremity of the actuating link 40 and has a lower extremity which is swingably connected at 74 to a secondary leg-rest link 76 intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The forward extremity of the secondary leg-rest link 76 is pivoted at 78 tothe leg-rest 60 remote from connection 66 and the rearward extremity of said link 76 is pivoted at 80 to the primary link 46.

The secondary link 70 and the secondary leg rest link 76 comprise a pair of links hereinafter referred to as the secondary pair of links.

The primary and secondary pairs of links, being thus interconnected, move conjointly so as to produce coordinated movements relative to each other.

As the back-rest member swings to reclining position, the seat member is angularized and the leg-rest is shifta-bly swung downwardy and forwardly and subsequently outwardly and upwardly relative to the seat member.

The reclinationof the back-rest member controls the positioning of the seat member through the coacting movement of the actuating link and primary link and guiding link. Simultaneously, the reclination of the backrest member controls the positioning of the leg-rest relative to the movement of the seat member. As such motion ensues, the guiding link is swingable on the seat member and is shiftable relative to the base.

The shifting of the leg-rest is appropriately timed with the. reclination of the back-rest member and with the angularization of the seat so as to insure constant support of the torso, thighs, and lower leg portions of the occupant.

Whether in reclining or declining movements, the related' positioning of the leg-rest and back-rest member are retained in the desired poised balance.

When a chair occupant leans his body weight against the back-rest member so as to swing same around its swingable connections into the reclined position shown in the dash lines, the seat member and the leg-rest may be brought into their respective positions by means of the link mechanism described above. The back-rest member may even extend therebeyond to the extreme position whereat the back-rest member abuts the surface 11 of the transverse member 10 and the seat member and leg-rest are simultaneously moved to their extreme positions.

It will be understood that the base, seat member, backrest member and leg-rest may each be suitably upholstered in the conventional manner so that the chair, in its finished form, is completely upholstered.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a base 102 includes side wall members 104 and 106 connected together by transverse members such as 108 and 110.

The back-rest member 112 is swingably mounted on the base 102 at 114 and has a downwardly extending back extension 116 therebelow, which extension functions as a link as will appear.

The back-rest member includes spaced side rail membore 118 connected together by transverse cross-rails 120.

The seat member 122 comprises side rail members 124 connected together by a plurality of cross-rails 126.

The seat member 122 is swingably mounted on the base 102 at 130.

A stop member 128 may be provided serving to limit the downwardly travel of the seat 122 in the normal sitting position.

The uppermost planar surface 111 of the transverse cross-rail'110 may be of such configuration as to define a stop means against which the back-rest member 112 may abut when the back-rest member attains the extreme reclined position relative to the base.

The linkage mechanism of Fig. 2 will now be described.

The linkage mechanism includes the aforementioned link 116 as well as an actuating link having a rearward extremity thereof swingably connected at 142 to the link 116;

Link 140 isalso swingably connected at 144, adjacent its forward extremity, to a primary link 146.

The uppermost extremity of the link146 is pivoted at 148 to the adjacent member 124 of the seat member 122 forwardly of thepivotal connection 130.

Link 140*is also swingably connected at 150 to the lower end'of a guiding link 152.

The upper end of the guiding link 152 is swingably mounted at 154 onthe adjacent member 1240f seat 122.

The swingable connection 154 between the seat member and the guiding link may be at any position relative to and spaced from the swingable connection 130 between the seat member and the base.

The longitudinal axes of the connections 114, 130 and 154 are spaced from each other.

On each of the wall members 104 and 106 of the base, the distance between the connections 114 and 130 form what will hereinafter be referred to as a stationary link, indicated in Fig. 2 by the bracket designated b.

The lower extremity of the primary link 146 is swingably connected at 156 to the rearward extremity of a primary leg-rest link 153.

The leg-rest, generally indicated by 160, comprises side rail members 162 and transverse rail members 164.

The primary leg-rest link 158 is pivoted to the legrest at 166.

Link members 146 and 158 comprise a pair of links hereinafter referred to as the primary pair of links.

A secondary link 170 is swingably connected at the upper extremity thereof at 172 to the forward extremity of the actuating link 140 and has a lower extremity which is swingably connected at 174 to a secondary leg-rest link 176.

The forward extremity of the secondary leg-rest link 176 is pivoted at 178 to the leg-rest 160 at a point thereon spaced from the connection 166.

The primary leg-rest link 158 and the secondary link 170 are swingably connected to each other at 180, as shown.

The links identified above constitute a shiftable linkage mechanism for the angularization of the seat memher and the shifting of the leg-rest, both relative to the base, upon the reclination of the back-rest member relative to the base. As such motion ensues, the guiding link is swingable on the seat member and is shiftable relative to the base.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a base 202 includes side wall members 204 and 206 connected together by transverse members such as 208 and 210.

The back-rest structure in this modification is generally indicated by 212.

A back-rest structure is provided which in a general way includes lower components and an upper back-rest component adjustable relative thereto and releasably held in adjusted position.

For illustrative purposes, the lower components comprise plate like members such as 213 swingably mounted on the base 202 at 214 and pivoted at 242 to another link of the chair linkage (about to be described) so as to function as elements of said linkage mechanisms.

Said members 213 are provided with elongated supporting guideways 216 having holding means, such as springs 217, incorporated therewithin. The springs may be secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets 217'.

The upper back-rest component consists of a backsupport comprising spaced opposite side rails 218 and transverse stretcher rails such as 220. The rails 218 have lower extensions 219 longitudinally adjustable in the supporting guideways whereby the back-rest component may be moved between an inner position, a plurality of intermediate positions, and an outer position and may be releasably held in any of said positions by the springs or other suitable means.

The seat member 222 comprises side rail members 224 connected together by a plurality of cross rails 226 and may be supported in its normal sitting position by a stop, such as 228.

The seat is swingably mounted on the base at 230.

The uppermost planar surface 211 of the transverse cross rail 210 may be of such configuration as to define a stop means against which the back-rest structure may abut when the back-rest member attains the extreme reclined position relative to the base.

6 r The linkage mechanism of Fig. 3 will now be described.

The linkage mechanism includes the aforementioned plate-like member 213 as well as an actuating link 240 having a rearward extremity thereof swingably connected at 242 to the member 213, as aforesaid.

Link 240 is also swingably connected at 250 to the lower end of a guiding link 252.

The upper end of the guiding link 252 is swingably mounted at 254 on the adjacent member 224 of seat 222.

The lower extremity of the primary link 246 is swingably connected at 256 to the rearward extremity of a primary leg-rest link 258.

The uppermost extremity of the link 246 is pivoted at 248 to the adjacent member 224 of the seat member 222 forwardly of the pivotal connection 230.

Link 240 is also swingably connected at 244, to the primary link 246, as shown.

On each of the wall members 204 and 206 of the base, the distance between theconnections 214 and 230 form what is referred to as a stationary link indicated in Fig. 3 by the bracket designated 0.

The leg-rest, generally indicated by 260, comprises side rail members 262 and transverse rail members 264.

The primary leg-rest link 258 is pivoted to the legrest at 266.

Link members 246 and 258 comprise a pair of links hereinafter referred to as the primary pair of links.

A secondary link 270 is swingably connected at 272 to a forward extremity of the actuating link 240 and has a lower extremity which is swingably connected at 274 to a secondary leg-rest link 276.

The forward extremity of the secondary leg-rest link 276 is pivoted at 278 to the leg-rest 260.

The primary leg-rest link 258 and the secondary link 270 are swingably connected to each other at 280, as shown.

The links identified above constitute a shiftable linkage mechanism for the angularization of the seat mem ber and the shifting of the leg-rest member, both relative to the base, upon the reclination of the back-rest member relative to the base.

While the invention has been described with respect to only three embodiments, it will be understood that it is susceptible to variations and modifications which are encompassed within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A control arrangement for use in a reclinable chair construction including: a support, a trio of body supporting components consisting of a seat mounted on said support and a back rockable on said support between sitting and reclining positions and a leg rest supported relative to said seat for movement between an inoperative generally vertically disposed position and an operative generally horizontally disposed forwardly extended position, a pair of coacting linkage systems, each linkage system of said pair thereof consisting of; an extension comprising the lower portion of said back extending downwardly from its connection at said support, a primary link pivotally connected to a forward portion of said seat, a secondary link spaced from said seat and back and support, said extension and primary and secondary links being spaced from each other, an actuating link interconnecting and in pivotal engagement with said extension and primary and secondary links, a pair of spaced leg rest links including a primary leg rest link and a secondary leg rest link each having forward end portions pivotally connected to said leg rest, one of said primary and secondary links being pivotally connected to one of the leg rest links of said pair thereof and the other of said primary and secondary links pivotally interconnecting the two leg rest links of said pair thereof, said extension and primary and secondary and actuating links and the leg rest links of said pair thereof consituting a shiftable linkage systern with the interconnection of said secondary and actuating links being shiftable forwardly relative to? the interconnection of said primary link and said seat upon the forward movement of said extension and with the distance between the pivotal connection connecting said seat and primary link and the pivotal connection connecting said secondary and actuating links increasing as said back is moved from the sitting position to the reclined position.

2. Anarticle of repose for supporting the body of a person in a multiplicity of positions comprising, a base, a seat member mounted on said base, a back-rest member rockably mounted on said base, said back-rest member including an extension extending downwardly of the swingable connections between said back-rest member and base, a leg-rest spaced from said seat member and base, a pair of identically-operative oppositely-disposed linkage mechanisms, each linkage mechanism of said pair thereof including, a first pair of links including a primarylink and a primary leg-rest link pivotally interconnected, a second pair of links including a secondary link and a secondary-leg-rest link pivotally inter-connected, said primary and secondary leg-rest links being pivotally connected with saidleg-rest at points spaced from each other, an actuating link' spaced below said seat member, the upper extremity of said secondary link being: pivotally interconnected to said actuating link, said primary link being pivotally connected with said actuating link at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of said secondary and actuating links and being swingably connected with said seat member, connecting means interconnecting said first and second pairs of links for effecting" coordinated movements of said first and second pairs of links, a guiding link having an upper extremity swingably connected to said seat member, said guiding link being pivotally connected with said actuating link remote from the other swingable connections thereon, said actuating link and the extension of said back-rest member being swingably interconnected, the pivotal interconnection of said secondary and actuating links being shiftable forwardly relative to the swingable connection of said primary link and said seat member upon the forward movement of the extension of said back-rest member and with the distance between the swingable connection connecting said primary link and said seat member and the pivotal interconnection connecting said secondary and actuating links increasing when the linkage mechanisms of said pair thereof thereby become operational upon which said leg rest shifts relative to said base.

References flied in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,885 Johnston 'May 30, 1899 2,750,988 Luckhardt June 19, 1956 2,778,408 Krikorian Jan. 22', 1957 2,781,824 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,384 Great Britain- Feb. 16, 1955 Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 92,547 involving Patent No. 2,964,096, A. P. Krikorian, Reclining chair, final judgment adverse to the patentee was rendered May 28, 1962, as to claim 1.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette Jame 26, 1962.] 

